As much as I hate the First exam, the Forest of Death is worse. We get so little on it beyond Team Seven... and it is pure action, so I struggle with it.

Sorry, but I am trying.

'Smoke and pepper and light bombs, check. Twelve explosive tags check. Five billion senbon check. Ninja wire, shuriken and kunai, check. First aid kit check.' Mika mentally went through his list of things, hoping to be of value to Kabuto and Yoroi, they were kind enough to allow him onto their team for the Chunin exams. Though he was doing this for himself alone, he did not want to disappoint them. 'Tanto and food and plasma pills... check. I think I'm ready.'

With Kabuto and Yoroi at his side, and a Heaven scroll in Kabuto's pocket, they waited for the signal before rushing off into the Forest of Death. They made it maybe fifty feet before they were beset upon by a team from Waterfall.

"Sorry about this, but I think it's time you gave us your scroll." The boy that spoke was tall with thick black hair and a black jacket.

Kabuto sighed. "Sorry, can't do that." He fell into a low stance, as did Yoroi and Mika.

Mika drew out his tanto, twirling it and drawing on his experience with Raido. There was a long pause, leaves falling down from the various trees, before the two teams clashed together. Mika got the leader, the boy who spoke. He had to use every ounce of medical evasion training to dodge the boy's strikes, he could feel their strength and knew the much stronger older boy would do damage if he struck him. His recent training with Hinata, whose every strike hurt like a bitch, only served to help protect him.

Patiently, Mika wanted until the boy overextend and sliced across the boy's forearm. Yelping the boy tried to back up, only for Mika to push off with chakra in his feet and impale the boy in his lower left side. Pulling out sharply, he held the blade to the boy's throat. "Give up or die."

"No, I can't, we have to prove that our village is as good as one of the Big Five!" The boy said, shaking from bloodless and pain.

Mika, knowing he could not afford mercy but knowing that Waterfall was their ally, pulled his blade aside... and headbutted the boy so hard he passed out right there. Around him, he saw Kabuto chopping another boy's neck, and Yoroi doing something with a glowing blue hand making his victim grunt and groan until he too passed out.

"That was too easy," Yoroi said, eyes glistening with bloodlust. "Pity they didn't present more of a challenge."

Mika rolled his eyes and searched his victim. "Aha! Earth scroll. Let's get to the tower."

Kabuto nodded. "You and I have meh stamina and less combat experience than Yoroi, that is the wisest option... let's beat it."

And so they did, rushing fast as they could, using chakra to bolster their way forward, having to move around three fights in progress just to get to the Tower unseen. They had to go the long way around each fight, which only made things take longer, but it was worth it. Pointless fights would only increase their likelihood of getting killed or hurt. By some unseen luck, they did not run into any big bugs, snakes, or any other terrible things. It was like some unseen force was keeping these things at bay, which was really nice. Odd though...

'I might have to come back here for training, if it is so dangerous, it might be a great tool to work on survival skills and overall combat.'

As they landed, Kabuto, knowing what to do, grabbed their scrolls and opened them up. Kabuto's sensei was there. "I know you two know the point of the scrolls, but does Mika?"

Mika, looking at the scroll on the wall, nodded. "Body and Mind united is what is needed for a chunin?"

"Basically... now come on, you are the Third Team to get here. You made great time! Just over two hours! Seriously, very nice. Now you have five days, or until everyone gets here, to do whatever you want to. I'd advise you to rest and train just enough to keep your skills up."

They each and all nodded, following the man into the building proper where Mika the team from Sand and... "Hinata!" He said, smiling at his new friend and ally. "You made it this fast too?"

She nodded, smiling at him. "Yes, we are a tracking team so it wasn't as hard as it could be."

"Hello, Mika," Shino said in his typical monotone voice. "I hear you became a medic and helped Hinata get into working as a Vet. Thank you, why do I say this? She is excelling and is much happier, as her teammate and friend this makes me happy."

"Not a problem, I am happy to help." 'That I am getting a powerful friend and ally is far too welcome, even if I was not wanting to help Hinata thrive to spite her clan and her past.'

"Yeah, man." Kiba barked. "My sister says she is doing great, so big time thanks."

Hinata flushed and they all laughed.

Mika smiled. "Any injuries you lot need healing?"

Hinata shook her head. "No, we got here without injury, or fights actually... anyway, um... I know we shouldn't spar, but do you want to meditate together?"

"I would love to." And so they hurried away, waving at her teammates, and making their way to Hinata's room where they got to meditating, something Mika enjoyed quite a bit. That it increased chakra levels, control, and focus really only made it even better. All medics meditated and all Ninja should meditate as far as he was concerned. It was just that helpful.

"""

Six hours later

"I cannot believe, I am going to do this... " Kabuto said, smirking.

Orochimaru laughed at him. "You are changing a rather specific pattern, are you sure you wish to do this?"

"Mika's rising skills as a medic, his IQ test results and his battle in the Forest of Death... it is all too much. The boy would make an amazing minion for you. I have a lot of hoopla on his skills but so little actual visual proof of any of it. I want to assess him, to get a full understanding of what he can do. For the first time, I am not going to forfeit the chunin exams just so I can see what he can do, him and Sasuke since I did not watch him in the forest."

"Hehehe, do you think he will abandon the village?"

"With the right motivation, I am sure he would. He craves knowledge, skill, power, and recognition. You could easily give him all of these things."

Orochimaru nodded. "If you think so, then I look forward to seeing what he is capable of."

"So do I." He held out a card. " I have only so much information, mostly on his medical skills. It is about time to see what he can do. I know he has kenjutsu skills but on what level. I hate being in the dark. It is time we bring his skills into the light, and see if he will join us willingly or not."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was almost bad, but the ending saved it.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.